Page 190 - Religion in the Media Age Media, Religion & Culture

Believers, dogmatists, and secularists 179

on Sundays. So we kind of all do it all, because none of it precludes
the other. Like, the Jewish Renewal movement is very open and very
liberal, and so is the Religious Science. [She says she goes to the
Religious Science services every Sunday, and frequently also goes to
the Jewish services.]

Vicky’s orientation away from strict religions and toward “open” ones
seems clearly to be a fundamental issue for her – one that defines both her
religious identity and the kinds of religious involvements she wants for
herself and for her family. It is common in our interviews to find our meta-
physical believers and seekers to be more aware of the landscape of
contemporary “culture wars” and religious politics than are the main-
stream believers. In this way, they are a counterpoint to many of the
born-again believers, who recognize media culture as a context where their
distinctiveness can be expressed and charted. Seeing the same difference
from the other direction, Vicky identifies her religiosity in part by means
of what it is not: not “born again.” When asked if she makes a distinction
between religion and spirituality, Vicky replies,

Yeah, I do. I think spirituality has to do with our own relationship
with spirit and how we see that in the world, and I think religion is a
set of rules and dogma and ritual that people use – hopefully for their
spirituality, but not necessarily. A lot of the right-wing, born-again
Christians that I know are . . . I don’t think there’s anything spiritual
about it at all. It’s very cruel, a lot of the ones I’ve come across. My
sister, for instance. I have a sister who’s awful. And she constantly
wants to tell me how bad I am and condemn my lifestyle, all that kind
of stuff. There’s nothing spiritual about that. I think spirituality is
inclusive and honors everyone equally, and I don’t think religion.

This stereotype of born-again believers includes two distinctions that are
important to Vicky. First, the notion that spirituality itself is a positive
value: the most appropriate way to express autonomous seeking. Second,
she identifies spirituality as she describes it as more open and inclusive
than religions, which are necessarily judgmental and exclusive.
The family is asked about their current media viewing habits. Brett
responds that currently the television and VCR are off limits, unplugged
by Vicky.

Interviewer: Why did you do that?
Brett: Because we thought... (turns to Vicky) Why don’t you say? ’Cause
you decided it.
Vicky: Well, I just thought... not just TV per se, but one of the things
connected to the TV is Nintendo, SuperNintendo for Brett, and we